Wow! Aga Khan Park’s Blazing Red Autumn Foliage and Spectacular Photos from Toronto’s Parks and Forests

By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor  Simergphotos, Barakah and Simerg

In my photographs, I let the animals and trees speak for themselves and hope other people will see the beauty I see. I encourage everyone to travel and to visit the forests, for they are amazing. The sooner you visit, the more likely you are to see a broad variety of different plants and animals. There will be fewer and fewer in the future. That’s what I say to myself when I take every photograph — Prince Hussain Aga Khan, speaking to students at Greenwich Academy and Brunswick at a joint Upper School Assembly.

We are now waking up to cooler mornings after an unusually warm October. The great “Salmon Run” that promised plenty of salmon in some of Toronto’s rivers (Humber River passing through Etienne Brulé Park, Don River passing through East Don Trail, and Highland Creek in Morningside Park) during October never really took off as it had done in previous years, but the last few days have seen a lot of salmon activity in rivers I have visited.

Toronto’s fall season is longer than what I was accustomed to in Ottawa, just 440 kms to the North east. There are still countless trees that are still showing spectacular fall colours. Please visit the parks for your enjoyment.

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Scarborough Bluffs and Surrounding Parks

When you drive north on the Don Valley Park, between Bloor and Lawrence Avenue exits, you will see vibrant fall colours. You will be tempted to stop your car to take photos. Leave that to your passenger — just carry one for the sake of photos! And during your drive northbound drive, you will be vowed by the majestic crystalline dome of the Toronto Headquarters Ismaili Jamatkhana, part of the Ismaili Centre. It looks glorious, especially when it is lit up at night. You might ask, “What is behind this phenomenal building?”. The Aga Khan has the answer! (Please read this and this AND also this on the symbol of rock crystal in the making of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building in Ottawa which also has a crystalline dome).

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I hope these photos that I took between November 3 and November 5, 2021, at some of Toronto’s beautiful parks, forests and rivers bring as much joy and happiness to you as they did for me. A message on a bench in loving memory of Andrew Batten touched me — he found inner peace walking through the Humber River. Visit and walk through the parks for a truly enthralling personal experience!

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The Aga Khan on Nature

The Qur’an refers very often to nature as a reflection of Allah’s power of creation, and it says, look at the mountains, the rivers, the trees, the flowers, as evidence of Allah’s love for the people whom He has created. Today, I look at the environment and I say to you, I believe Allah is smiling upon you, and may His smile always be upon you. — Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Ishkashim, Gorno Badakhshan, Tajikistan, May 27, 1995

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Aga Khan Park, Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre

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Etienne Brulé Park

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Evergreen Brickworks

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Edwards Gardens and Adjoining Wilket Creek Park

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Don Trail East, Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

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PLEASE STOP: A MUST WATCH VIDEO

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Last Word: Like the Burning Sky, Let’s Build a Burning Desire in Our Hearts for Nature

I encourage everyone to travel and to visit the forests, for they are amazing. The sooner you visit, the more likely you are to see a broad variety of different plants and animals — Prince Hussain Aga Khan.

Date posted: November 6, 2021.
Last updated: November 6, 2021 (8:28 PM, see 1 below)

CORRECTION(S):

1. Two parks were named incorrectly in our photo captions. Grey Abbey Park in Scarborough Bluffs was wrongly referred to as Glen Abbey Park, and Morningside Park as Meadowlands Park. The captions have been corrected. The editor apologizes for these oversights.

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